Stories of individuals rising from humble beginnings to achieve great heights are truly inspiring. One such remarkable story is that of IAS officer Ramesh Gholap. Born in Mahagaon, Solapur district, Maharashtra, Ramesh endured poverty and hardship from a young age. After the demise of his father, he gained a deeper understanding of life’s challenges and committed himself to working hard and developing his potential. Through sheer determination, he cleared the UPSC exam and became an IAS officer. Let’s explore the inspiring journey of IAS Ramesh Gholap.

Also read: Meet the tailor’s daughter who turned struggles into strength and achieved her dream of clearing BPSC

Background

Ramesh's father, Gorakh Gholap, ran a modest bicycle repair shop, but his addiction to alcohol often led to illness, causing the business to suffer. Eventually, the shop had to be shut down. In the face of these challenges, Ramesh’s mother, Vimal Gholap, took on the responsibility of supporting the family. She sold bangles in nearby villages to make ends meet. Despite suffering from polio in his left leg, Ramesh did not hesitate to assist his mother, often helping her sell bangles on the streets.

Despite growing up in poverty, Ramesh always excelled academically. He topped his class at a school in Barsi, Maharashtra. However, in 2005, a tragic event struck; his father passed away. At the time, Ramesh didn’t even have enough money for bus fare to attend his father's funeral. With the help of kind-hearted neighbours, he managed to reach the funeral. This incident became a turning point in Ramesh's life. Determined to escape poverty and improve his family's circumstances, he dedicated himself entirely to his studies.

Ramesh earned a degree in Arts from an open university and began working as a teacher in 2009. However, his true ambition was to become an IAS officer. A chance meeting with a Tehsildar during his college days inspired him and gave his career a new direction. Determined to pursue his dream, Ramesh decided to prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Examination and moved to Pune. His mother, who had always been his pillar of support, made every possible effort to raise the funds needed for his studies.

UPSC success

Ramesh first appeared for the UPSC exam in 2010 but did not succeed. Rather than giving up, he doubled his efforts and worked even harder. In 2012, his perseverance paid off when he cleared the exam with an All India Rank of 287 under the disability quota, fulfilling his dream of becoming an IAS officer. Today, IAS Ramesh Gholap serves as Joint Secretary in the Jharkhand Energy Department. His story is a testament to the fact that no matter how challenging the circumstances, with self-confidence and hard work, anything is possible.

Also read: Success Story: Meet this young achiever who cracked MPPSC at 21; Know his exam strategy